Government of Anambra State, as part of the 100 days action plan will commence the construction and rehabilitation of tourist sites in the state to make it more attractive for tourists.
The Commissioner for Indigenous Artworks, Diaspora Affairs, Culture and Tourism Dr Sally Mbanefo announced this at Owere Ezukala caves and waterfall in Orumba South Local Government Area of the state during her first official tour to the site.
Mrs Mbanefo marvelled by the tourism potentials of the area stated that the state government is ready to invest and harness the huge revenue that is inherited in the tourism industry.
According to her the governor has approved the construction of staircases and road leading to Owere Ezukala caves and waterfall, and that plans are already in top gear for the commencement of the projects.
Earlier during the tour, the commissioner who was accompanied by some senior staff of the ministry including the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Louise Ezeanya, the Special Assistant to the governor on Tourism, Mrs Ngozi Ogbuekwe paid a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Thomas Ogbonnaya.
Receiving the guests, the traditional ruler said the visit will bring succour to the community, while appealing to the state government to hasten action on the site as to create employment for the youths of the community.
Also in his remark, the traditional Prime Minister of the community who also was the tour guide, Sir Evans Ihesi narrated how the community has suffered neglect in the hands of the past regimes in the state.
Chief Ihesi praised Governor Obiano for showing so much interest in the community. He then appealed to the state government to upgrade their popular Ogba Ukwu to a major tourist attraction in the state.
Meanwhile, Dr Sally Mbanefo says efforts are in top gear to convert the Blessed Father Cyprian Iwene Tansi’s tomb into religious tourism site.
The Commissioner made this known during her first official visit to Obu Gad at Enugu- Agulueri in Anambra East local Govt Council Area of the state.
She stated that Anambra State is endowed with numerous tourism potentials.
Obu Gad is the site believed to be the setting place of Eri, who is believed to be the ancestor of Ndi Igbo which is already an acclaimed international tourism site from across the world.
Mrs Mbanefo who was accompanied by senior staff of the ministry also visited the Aguve Tree popularly known as the trinity tree.
Speaking at the palace of the traditional ruler of Enugwu-Agulueri, Igwe Chukwuemeka-Eri, the commissioner said that she will utilise her wealth of experience to boost the tourism potentials of the state.
The Commissioner stated that tourism is one of the greatest employers of labour and constitutes a lot to the GDP of many countries.
Responding during the visit, the Enugwu- Agulueri monarch, Igwe Eri who led the visitors to the different sites, while congratulating the new commissioner on her appointment and expressed confidence that she will deliver on her mandate in the ministry .
The traditional ruler, further reiterated the importance of the state government to take concrete steps to move the tourism and cultural sector to a higher level while appealing to the state government to help promote the trinity tree by documenting the historical stories for the younger generation.